The journey of money from the pockets of criminals' to the hands of Greater Manchester’s communities

Through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), we give back a large proportion of money that is seized from criminals as a result of policing activity. This forms part of our robust approach to crackdown on criminal’s who think its acceptable to launder their criminal finances.

However much criminal’s think they can successfully hide their ill-gotten gains, our specialist teams in the Economic Crime Unit know how to find it, seize it and legally recover it through court.

But how does the money get from the pockets of criminal's to the hands of organisations who benefit communities? 

Through policing activity that happens force wide every single day, we seize the money first, and this is done by executing warrants, and conducting stop searches on people and also vehicles. Our Account Freezing Order team also look to seize money in a different way - through criminal bank accounts.

Cash and high value items seized as part of warrants across the force

It is then passed to the Asset Detention and Recovery Unit. These specialist officers and staff are the ones who build the cases that go to court. Using the balance of probability, officers need to have evidence to show that the money has been attained through the profits of crime. 

Once the money goes to court and the case is successful, we can then legally recover the finances in order to use it to benefit the communities throughout the force.

We keep 50% of the money we recover to spend on community initiatives and the other 50% goes back to the Home Office. The money that we get back is either used on community initiatives or within the force to further asset recovery work or on policing operations and on community projects. 

Examples of organisations who have received ARIS funding over the last year

Stuart Collier, or Stu, as he is best known to his colleagues, is a great example of how the funds are spent within the force. His role is fully funded by ARIS. Stuart is a retired police officer, having served most of his time in Greater Manchester Police. After he retired, he came back to work in our Economic Crime Unit in a supporting role. He provides support and expert advice to officers in the unit, and helps us get more cash to further asset recovery.

Stu said: “The hours it takes to formulate the evidence to take to the CPS for some of these jobs in the unit is enormous and anything I can do to help, like taking statements and liaising with victims, something which I have great experience in, can help them to do the work warranted police officers are supposed to do without having to worry about admin duties as that can take up a lot of their time.

“I am an Investigative Support Officer and that is what I think I do for the officers in the unit, support them in their work to achieve our collective goal of bringing those people responsible of economic crimes to justice and protecting vulnerable people.

“I just love being in the cops, it’s what I do and all I am used to. I have been doing it since I was 22, and when I stopped, I didn’t like it and wanted to come back.”

Stuart Collier working in the Economic Crime Unit

Stuart is a valuable asset to the Economic Crime Unit, and shows that the money we seize from criminals is either going to good use in community projects or used to further valuable policing work which benefits the communities we serve.

Read more about Stuart’s esteemed career here: Retired detective returns to work in GMP’s Economic Crime Unit – all thanks to money seized from criminals | Greater Manchester Police

Our force’s crime prevention team were also successful in securing £66,000 to fund the purchase of crime prevention products to distribute to victims and potential victims of burglary and vehicle crime in neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester, the materials that will be distributed include window alarms, door alarms, timer switches, fake TV’s to make it look like someone is home to deter burglars, ultra violet marking pens, and property marking warning stickers. 

Detective Inspector Sarah Langley of GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “It's right that the money we recover from criminal’s is used to benefit those that need it the most from the communities we serve.

“It’s an important part of the justice system that those who benefit from the profits of crime get their finances stripped from them and aren't allowed to enjoy this money at the detriment of everyone else, and it’s even more satisfying to know that it is now being used for a good purpose.

“We have spoken to a few organisations who have received funding within the last year to find out how the funding has been used to help them extend their reach to benefit even more people across Greater Manchester.”

City in the Community is a charity who empowers lives through football, they said: “City in The Community has been fortunate to received ARIS funding which has been used to deliver much needed sport and mentoring sessions though Manchester and concentrating on the Wythenshawe and Hulme areas.

“The ARIS fund has enabled us to be a consistent presence for young people in some areas where our projects are much needed to empower healthy lives through football.”

The Bolton Scout Trust said: “We are delighted by the ARIS funding. It means that we are able to replace the no longer fit for purpose Activity Barn which will help us to provide excellent facilities for all our visitors once it is completed.”

Tackling Minds, which is a Manchester-born community interest company that helps those suffering from mental health by taking them fishing. They help others find solutions to mental health solutions, by ensuring they access the support and care they need. They said: "Thanks to the ARIS funding, Tackling Minds has been empowered to extend a lifeline to individuals grappling with drug and alcohol addiction. Through our therapeutic fishing sessions, we're not just casting lines, but hope, healing, and a path to recovery."

Detective Inspector Sarah Langley and her team visited Foundation92, an organization that supports young people in our communities. ARIS funding has helped them by a bus which has been kitted out with a pool table and games for young people as a safe space that they can go."

Non-profit organisations which benefit a large number of people, can apply for funding to cover 12 months’ of activities which pledge to support GMP’s objectives to fight, prevent and reduce crime; keep people safe; and care for victims. Applicants should apply via Giving back: Investing in our community | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk).